The AAHAR 2026, the leading food and hospitality extravaganza in Asia, opened spectacularly in New Delhi, with the attention of the world focused on the agro-food industry of India which is flourishing.
On March 10, Union Minister Piyush Goyal suddenly lit the ceremonial lamp and focused on export muscle and new trade agreements amid colorful stalls with innovation on the loose end.
Who Inaugurated AAHAR 2026?
The 40th edition was inaugurated by the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, in Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in the presence of Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan. Goyal rejoiced in the fact that India has become the seventh-largest exporter in the world, and agri-marine products reached about [?]5 lakh crore per annum.
It is a two-day event (the second to be co-hosted with ITPO) that will continue through to March 14, and will be a mix of B2B negotiations, along with opening up to the public since March 13 evening.
What are the Inclusions in the Fair?
Taking up an area of 1,25,000 sq m, AAHAR has 1,800+ exhibitors representing 17 nations in terms of food products, beverages, processing technology, packaging, cold chains, and hospitality equipment.
Innovations in gourmet foods, value added processing, and export linkages are their highlights seminars, culinary showdowns and a new mobile app to facilitate networking without any hindrances. The visitors are projected to be more than 100,000 making the place a hub of taste worldwide.
Why Is Italy Stealing the Spotlight?
Italy as a partner country boasts of agro-food expertise and hospitality technology to enhance India-EU relations before possible FTAs. The Italian Ambassador boasted of duty-free entry of Indian products in Europe which triggered transactions in processed food and delicacies.
Australian, Brazilian, Canadian, Chilean, Thai, and Australian players bring international flavor along with pavilions of Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, UK and Vietnam.
FTAs and the Indian Food Export Boom How Do FTAs Fuel India Boom Food Exports?
Goyal emphasized 9 FTAs, which were signed within 3.5 years and opened 38 developed markets and protected staples such as rice, wheat, maize, soy meal and pulses.
These agreements accelerate the process of integration into world chains, taking advantage of the agri-export boom in India. With EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and others launching, AAHAR makes sure to secure a special treatment and increase trade victories.
Also Read: Exercise LAMITIYE-2026
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